He was the oldest son of Richard D. and wife Sally Woodcock. In his 1850 and 1860 census records he was a carpenter, living in Schoharie County, New York. In 1870 he was a farmer in Union, New York. He married Eliza about 1851 and they had four children: Franklin P.; Julia E.; Charlotte Harriet; Ella J. At the time of his death he was working as a farmer and a game constable.